President Vladimir Putin of Russia has flown to India on a mission to rejuvenate ties with Moscow's former Cold War ally and push for multi-billion dollar energy and weapons deals.

An international donors conference for Lebanon has opened in Paris with the United States, France and the European Union pledging close to two billion dollars to support the embattled government of Prime Minister Fuad Siniora.

Two Ecuadoran military helicopters have collided killing Defense Minister Guadalupe Larriva, her daughter and five army officials near an air base on the Pacific coast, the government said.

China's economy rose 10.7 percent in 2006, reaching an 11-year high that put the Asian giant well on track to surpass Germany as the world's third biggest next year, data has shown.

World number one Roger Federer has stormed into a record-equalling seventh successive Grand Slam final with a straight sets humiliation of American rival Andy Roddick at the Australian Open.

An international donors' conference opens in Paris on Thursday to raise billions of dollars to help rebuild Lebanon and shore up the western-backed government of Prime Minister Fuad Siniora.

Seven-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams battled through to the Australian Open final Thursday, staving off a determined challenge to beat Czech teenager Nicole Vaidisova 7-6 (7/5), 6-4.

Overjoyed Taiwan pair Chan Yung-Jan and Chuang Chia-Jung have put their country in a Grand Slam final for the first time when they beat Chinese defending champions Yan Zi and Zheng Jie.

Thirty years ago, global warming was an issue restricted to a handful of climatologists who, clamouring in the wilderness, warned that uncontrolled burning of fossil fuels would damage Earth's climate.

US President George W. Bush received a stinging rebuke of his Iraq policy, as a Senate panel condemned his plan to pour more US troops into the war-ravaged country.

Israeli President Moshe Katsav said he would temporarily step aside but not resign after it was announced that he would be indicted on rape and other sex crime charges.

Iraqi and US forces launched a major assault to wrest control of a central Baghdad district from insurgents after US President George W. Bush urged Americans to back a make-or-break security plan for Iraq.

Julio Baptista scored twice as Arsenal staged a superb fightback to earn a 2-2 draw in the first leg of their League Cup semi-final at Tottenham.

Marseille moved up to second in the French league after a 3-1 win over Auxerre.

After overlooking women older than 50 for nearly two decades, the best actress race for Oscars gold is set to be a contest between three veteran stars known as the "silver foxes."

A Turkish court has jailed the suspected teenage murderer of ethnic Armenian journalist Hrant Dink, but no immediate charges were brought against him, his lawyer said.

France's right-wing presidential candidate Nicolas Sarkozy stands accused of abusing his powers as interior minister by ordering a police probe into an ally of his rival, Segolene Royal.

Snowstorms have swept across west and central Europe for a second day, killing three people in Germany, disrupting air traffic and leaving dozens of drivers trapped on freezing, logjammed roads.

World business and political leaders have tempered optimism over global economic growth with concern over climate change as they kicked off their elite annual retreat in Davos.

The United States may haul China to the WTO this year over piracy and counterfeiting of American goods amid greater trade friction between the two powers, a senior official said.